Cat Scratch Reader
Bryce Young led a touchdown drive, but that was about the all the offense could muster as the Carolina Panthers dropped their preseason opener to the Browns.
The much anticipated return of football got off to the dullest start possible. Both teams went three and out with no even remotely exciting plays. The Browns moved the ball a bit on their second drive but got stuffed at the first down line on 4th down. That set the Panthers up for their featured drive of the game.
Bryce Young flung a rainbow down the right sideline that Tetairoa McMillan, who reeled it in for a 30 yard gain. A couple more short completions to McMillan and Thielen set the Panthers up in scoring range. The Panthers got on the board via a Young scramble drill where he directed Jalen Coker along the back of the end zone and rifled the pass in for the score.
That drive also featured a scuffle between Xavier Legette and Rashawn Jenkins. Both threw punches and were ejected from the contest.
The Carolina defense held up and forced another punt, but Trevor Etienne was run into while trying to field the ball and muffed it. That set the Browns up inside the ten.
The Browns took just two plays to find the end zone and level the game.
The Panthers pulled Young from the game after the successful drive and inserted Andy Dalton. Dalton wasn’t nearly as sharp. He led three straight punt drives to close out the half, though one featured a nice one handed catch by Jalen Coker down the seam.
On the other side, Shedeur Sanders orchestrated a touchdown in a pseudo-two minute drill to put the Browns up seven at the half.
The second half went off the rails for the home team. Dalton self sacked when he fell over trying to pump fake a pass. He threw an interception into like quadruple coverage on the next drive. As the Panthers offense floundered, the Browns used the quick turnarounds and advantageous field position to get into a rhythm and pile on the points.
Here’s your regular reminder that the result of the preseason means nothing. Tetairoa McMillan made some plays. Bruce Young looked like the late last season of himself. The defense was decent early on against the Browns depth offensive players.
The Panthers hit the road next weekend
